Mating Type Inheritance in Glaucoma*

SYNOPSIS. Mating was observed in collections of Glaucoma from 2 localities in Illinois. The collections could be divided into 2 syngens on the basis of mating type reactions. Corticotype analysis showed that syngen 1 was intermediate in meridian number between Glaucoma chattoni and Glaucoma scintillans, while syngen 2 had the same range as Glaucoma scintillans (Lee, unpublished). The major features of mating type inheritance in syngen 1 are that exconjugant clones usually have identical mating types and that mating types I and II appear in an approximately 1:1 ratio in successive generations. This is the result expected in genic mating type inheritance if one of the original parents was a homozygote and the other a heterozygote at the mating type locus. No significant immaturity period was found in these strains. Only 2 viable pairs were obtained from syngen 2 crosses, but results from these suggest that mating type inheritance may be epigenetic and a longer immaturity period may characterize this syngen.     

THE DEATH OF BIOETHICS (AS WE ONCE KNEW IT)

Fast forward 50 years into the future. A look back at what occurred in the field of bioethics since 2010 reveals that a conference in 2050 commemorated the death of bioethics. In a steady progression over the years, the field became increasingly fragmented and bureaucratized. Disagreement and dissension were rife, and this once flourishing, multidisciplinary field began to splinter in multiple ways. Prominent journals folded, one by one, and were replaced with specialized publications dealing with genethics, reproethics, nanoethics, and necroethics. Mainstream bioethics organizations also collapsed, giving way to new associations along disciplinary and sub‐disciplinary lines. Physicians established their own journals, and specialty groups broke away from more general associations of medical ethics. Lawyers also split into three separate factions, and philosophers rejected all but the most rigorous, analytic articles into their newly established journal. Matters finally came to a head with global warming, the world‐wide spread of malaria and dengue, and the cost of medical treatments out of reach for almost everyone. The result was the need to develop plans for strict rationing of medical care. At the same time, recognition emerged of the importance of the right to health and the need for global justice in health. By 2060, a spark of hope was ignited, opening the door to the resuscitation of bioethics and involvement of the global community.     

Spironucleus vortens N. Sp. from the Freshwater Angelfish Pterophyllum scalare: Morphology and Culture

ABSTRACT. A new diplomonad flagellate, Spironucleus vortens n. sp., is described from the intestinal lumen of the freshwater angelfish, ( Pterophyllum scalare ), bred in Florida. Live organisms are pyriform, and measure 12.5–20.5 μm long by 5.0–11.2 üm wide. Scanning electron microscopy shows that the trophozoite bears two compound lateral longitudinal ridges, each originating posterior to three emerging anterior flagella, and continuing posteriorly to the emergence of the posterior flagellum. Each ridge comprises a broad central part, surrounded by a peripheral ridge. At the opening of the flagellar pocket, the broader right peripheral ridge crosses to the other side of the body, and then back again. The posterior end of the body bears two papillae. Transmission electron microscopy shows that the compound lateral ridges are supported by microtubules, and bear microfibrillar structures in discrete longitudinal plaques. The serendipitous growth of S. vortens in a culture system with lip tumor tissue, facilitated axenic cultivation in a modified TYM medium (trypticase, yeast extract, maltose). The flagellate is now routinely maintained in an axenic TYI-S-33 medium (trypticase, yeast extract, iron serum), and is stabilized in the cryopreserved state. Spironucleus vortens is an aerotolerant anaerobe that can be cultured at 25° C, 28° C and 30° C.     

Laboratory tests of fungicides against Peronospora parasitica (Pers. ex Fr.) Fr

Methods were investigated of culturing Peronospora parasitica on detached cotyledons in plastic box moist chambers in constant-temperature cabinets. Light was essential and a temperature of 15 °C was most suitable for infection and survival of cotyledons. Using such cotyledons the protectant and eradicant actions of various fungicides against P. parasitica were compared with those of zineb. Captafol, Daconil 2787, dichlofluanid and propineb were markedly superior to zineb as protectants, being highly effective at 0·025 % a.i. None of these compounds (at 0·2 % a.i.) checked fungal development when applied 5 h after inoculation, during which time the fungus had penetrated the cotyledons, and it was concluded that the fungicides had thus no internal effect. Internal fungistasis was shown, however, by a maneb-nickel sulphate fungicide and also by nickel sulphate. The latter (at 0·4% NiSO₄.6H₂O) gave some disease control when applied up to 72 h after inoculation and appeared to be translocated within the tissue of the cotyledon.